Adamawa Agency Pledges to Complete 500km Rural Roads

From Tom Garba, Yola
The newly appointed Project Coordinator of the Second Adamawa State Rural Access and Mobility Project, (RAMP-2), Engr. Abbas Mohammed Adamu, has reiterated his commitment to completing the remaining balance of the 500KMs rural roads for the state before the expiration of the project period.
Adamu made the pledge to the media in Yola, vowing to make sure that contractors working on rural roads across the state deliver their projects work within the specified terms of agreement.
The project coordinator, who has been in RAMP-2 Team since its inception noted that their aim was to construct 500kms rural roads. He stated that “last time 201.4kms of rural roads were awarded to three firms in the state and are now going on successfully.”
He added that very soon, the balance of the 500kms rural roads will be awarded. According to him, a consultant would revalidate the balance of the roads and after the revalidation, the consultant would see whether some of the roads have been done or not so that it would be given out for design.
Consequently, Adamu stated that recently the Technical Support Mission Team was in Adamawa State to assess on-going projects and determine whether the projects were going in accordance with World Bank standard and specification.
Expressing his satisfaction for the successful achievement of the Technical Support Mission visit, Adamu maintained that the team was a delegation by the donor agencies, stating that the donor agencies’ staff are not allowed to visit the state because of the security challenges. The Bank mandated the Team to visit the Project Sites and report back their findings.
Adamu recalled that all the four states that came on board under RAMP-2, lost almost one year during procurement processes, more especially coupled with the Adamawa’s security situation.
Though he agreed that the project was scheduled to end on 31st December, 2018 but due to the security challenges of the state there is the possibility of an extension.
The coordinator noted that discussion was going on with the donor agencies for a possibility of extension to two or more years. He expressed confidence that once it is approved, they would complete the projects within the stipulated period.
While expressing his confidence in the Bank and the National office of RAMP, Adamu said the SPIU Team will not let the Adamawa State Government and the donor agencies down if it is extended.